SUBSTANCE ABUSE

EFFECTS OF THE COMPONENTS OF CIGARETTE SMOKE

ON THE RESPIRATORY ANS CARDIOVASCULAR STSTEMS.
Tobacco

 Tobacco is made from the dried leaves of the tobacco plant, Nicotiana tabacum.
The plant contains high concentrations of nicotine that many acts as an insecticide
for the plant.
Main Chemicals found in Cigarettes

 Nicotine
 Carbon monoxide
 Tar, which contains carcinogens
Nicotine

 This drug is absorbed readily into the blood and stimulates the nervous system to
reduce the diameter of arterioles and the adrenal glands to release adrenaline. This
increases heart rate and blood pressure and decreases the blood supply to the
extremities- for example, the hands and feet.
 Another effect Is that platelets become stickier which can lead to increase risk of
blood clots forming.
Carbon monoxide

 This gas diffuses across the alveoli into the blood and onto the red blood cells,
combining with haemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin. This stops the
haemoglobin from becoming fully saturated, hence carries less oxygen.
Tar

 This is a mixture of aromatic substances, which settles on the airway linings and
stimulates changes that may lead to obstructive lung diseases and lung cancer.
Lung Diseases
 Emphysema
Smoking causes inflammation
in the lungs. This involves the
presence of increased numbers
of white blood cells, some of
which secrete chemicals that
damage elastic fibers. This
makes the alveoli less elastic.
They may burst, resulting in
large air spaces. This reduces
the surface area available for
gas exchange. This is called
emphysema. A person with
emphysema has shortness of
breath, meaning they struggle to
breathe as deeply as they need
to, especially when exercising.
 Chronic Bronchitis
Various components of cigarette
smoke, including tar, causes goblet
cells to increase mucus production
and cilia to beat less strongly. This
causes mucus to build up, which
may partially block alveoli. This
makes gas exchange more
difficult, as the diffusion distance
between the air and the alveoli and
the blood in the capillaries is
greater. The mucus may become
infected with bacteria, causing
bronchitis.
The mucus stimulates persistent
coughing, which can damage the
tissue in the walls of the airways,
making them suffer and the
airways narrower.
 Lung cancer

Tar contains carcinogens, which

react with DNA in epithelial cells
and causes mutations, which can
lead to tumors.

Although it may take years to

develop, most growth of the tumor
occurs prior to any symptoms,
which include coughing up blood
due to tissue damage. Once it
would have been discovered, it’s
usually advanced where surgery is
now required to remove it,
following up by chemotherapy or
radiotherapy.

Bronchial carcinoma
Effects on the Cardiovascular System

 Nicotine
 Carbon monoxide